Dhaka seeks Polish investment in shipbuilding, pharma sectors

BSS
21st April, 2017 05:38:17

Pointing out the competitive and skilled labour force and congenial business environment, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has urged the Polish entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh's potential sectors like shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear and agro-processing.

"Bangladesh could be a lucrative destination for the Polish businesses in many priority areas like shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear and agro-processing," he said during bilateral talks in the Polish capital of Warsaw on Thursday, according to a message received on Friday.

The state minister had bilateral talks with Joanna Wronecka, Polish Deputy Minister (Undersecretary of State) for Development Cooperation, Africa and Middle-East, Asia and Pacific, Economic Diplomacy and Human Rights, at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Shahriar mentioned that many European countries are showing keen interest to invest and do business in Bangladesh, which is an increasingly geostrategic regional economic and logistics hub.

He shared that Bangladesh and Poland have many similarities in a variety of fields.

Describing the recent progress of Bangladesh economy, he noted that Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies of the world with a strong domestic market of 160 million people.

Recalling the significant contribution and support of Poland to Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, the state minister expressed gratitude and put emphasis on enhanced bilateral cooperation between the two 'time-tested' friendly countries.

Shahriar highlighted that Bangladesh established its resident mission in Warsaw in 2015, taking note of the potentials of further growth in bilateral relations.

He further stressed opening of resident Polish Mission in Dhaka soon to tap the opportunities of deepening and widening bilateral relations on economic, trade and investment, education, agriculture, knowledge and innovation in the coming days.

The state minister called for easing visas for Bangladeshi students, who are interested to avail of study opportunities at the world class Polish universities.

The Polish deputy minister assured that they will take necessary steps to facilitate visas for Bangladeshi students.

Shahriar also sought support of his Polish counterpart for scholarships for Bangladeshi students.

The Polish deputy minister emphasized regular dialogue at the senior official and political levels to further strengthen bilateral ties.

She also sought Bangladesh's support for Polish candidatures in different international bodies.

In response, the Bangladesh state minister laid stress on institutionalizing the regular political consultations through signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Bangladesh has done with many other countries.

He further assured that Bangladesh would give due consideration to Polish candidatures.

Thanking Bangladesh for successfully arranging the 136th IPU Assembly in April 2017 in Dhaka, the Polish deputy foreign minister expressed satisfaction at the growing high level visits and contacts between the two countries.

She further mentioned that balance of trade between two countries is heavily in favour of Bangladesh and they would like to reduce that gap by offering to transfer state-of-the-art Polish technology for extraction of mineral resources, including coal, in Bangladesh.

Earlier, the Bangladesh state minister met with Polish Deputy Minister (Undersecretary of State) for Economic Development Tadeusez Koscinski at the Ministry of Economic Development of Poland, along with a 10-member Bangladesh business delegation.

In the meeting, the two ministers agreed to exchange business delegations on regular basis and exchanged views on opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.

Shahriar highlighted Bangladesh's ambition to be a middle income country under the Vision 2021. He said that economy of Bangladesh is premised on three pillars: agriculture, remittance and exports (mostly readymade garments).

The Polish deputy minister briefed the Bangladesh state minister about the ongoing economic reform agenda which is hinged on five pillars: re-industrialization, knowledge and innovation, capital market development, export and infrastructure for inclusive growth.

He expressed keen interest to work together with Bangladesh to identify mutually beneficial economic opportunities.

In the afternoon, the state minister attended a business seminar at the Polish National Chamber of Commerce, where business delegations of the two countries exchanged views and held B2B meetings to explore areas for mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities.